Taxon Report

Penstemon rattanii Gray var. kleei (Greene) Gray

Santa Cruz Mountains beardtongue

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Species Description:
Penstemon rattanii var. kleei, commonly known as Santa Cruz Mountains beardtongue, is a perennial herb in the Plantaginaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Lower montane coniferous forest, and North Coast coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 400 to 1100 meters. Penstemon rattanii var. kleei is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification

Scientific Name:
Penstemon rattanii Gray var. kleei (Greene) Gray
Common Name:
Santa Cruz Mountains beardtongue
Family: Plantaginaceae
Element Code: PDSCR1L5B1
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: (Mar)May-Jun (Mar)May-Jun
Elevation: 400-1100 (1310-3610)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Lower montane coniferous forest, North Coast coniferous forest
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 6
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 2
   Good (B) 2
   Fair (C) 0
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 2
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Santa Clara (SCL), Santa Cruz (SCR)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Big Basin (3712222), Davenport (3712212), Felton (3712211), Loma Prieta (3712117), Mt. Madonna (3712116), Santa Teresa Hills (3712127)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 4
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
3 50 %
Other 3 50%
Development 1 16%
Foot traffic/trampling 1 16%
Insufficient population/stand size 1 16%
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 15 January 2025].